Rule 5.420. Disposition of Personal Property Without Administration

(a) Application. An interested person may request a disposition of the decedent’s personal property without administration. An application signed by the applicant shall set forth:

(1) the description and value of the exempt property;

(2) the description and value of the other assets of the decedent;

(3) the amount of preferred funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses for the last 60 days of the last illness together with accompanying statements or payment receipts; and

(4) each requested payment or distribution of personal property.

(b) Exempt Property. If the decedent’s personal property includes exempt property, or property that can be determined to be exempt property, the application must also be signed by all persons entitled to the exempt property or by their representative.

(c) Preparation. On request, the clerk shall assist the applicant in the preparation of the required writing.

(d) Disposition. If the court is satisfied that disposition without administration is appropriate, the court may, without hearing, by letter or other writing authorize the payment, transfer, or disposition of the decedent’s personal property to those persons entitled to it.

Committee Notes

Section 732.402, Florida Statutes, requires persons entitled to exempt property, which excludes property specifically or demonstratively devised, to file timely a petition to determine exempt property. Accordingly, disposition of personal property under this rule should not be granted if decedent’s personal property includes exempt property without all persons entitled thereto agreeing to such disposition. Rule History 1977 Revision: Permits the clerk to perform limited ministerial acts in the completion of the application. 1984 Revision: Editorial changes. Delineates the required contents of the application. Committee notes revised. 1988 Revision: Subdivision (a)(3) changed to require applicant to attach accompanying statements or payment receipts regarding priority expenses. Subdivision (b) added to require persons entitled to exempt property to agree to the proposed disposition. Committee notes expanded. 1992 Revision: Editorial change. Committee notes revised. Citation form changes in committee notes. 2003 Revision: Committee notes revised. Statutory References § 732.402, Fla. Stat. Exempt property. § 735.301, Fla. Stat. Disposition without administration. Rule Reference Fla. Prob. R. 5.205(a)(4) Filing evidence of death.